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gag reflex and mealtime

My 2 1/2 year old has always been such a great eater. Really adventuresome, there's no category of food she doesn't like (she doesn't like white potatoes but who cares!). Anyway, she's always had a super-sensitive gag reflex -- like if she gets too big of a bite or something grosses her out when she's eating, she'll start throwing up her whole meal. She also often throws up after she coughs up phlegm, poor thing.

Well, all the sudden she's gotten a lot pickier at mealtime. She won't eat any soups with chunks, including things like chili that she's always loved. We've been sticklers for her trying everything, even having several bites, at every meal, so we evenentually get her to do it. But the other day I was insisting that she'd like her chicken & dumpling soup (what's not to like, right?) and when she finally choked down a dumpling bite (not a big one), she threw up. Is this psychological? We felt so cruel!!

Sorry I guess there wasn't really a question in there. Here it is... should we be letting her be pickier because she's having some texture issues with her gag reflex, or should we try to help her push through these new aversions? Has anyone had problems like this?

It's probably become a little more mental now at this point. I'm sure that after gaging on food so many times you start to become a little afraid of gaging and puking again. I would find out if there is a specialist that can help you right now. And maybe just let up on her a little, adjust the food texture so she can eat it.

Answer by
Anonymous
at 1:41 PM on Nov. 16, 2009

1-2 of 2 answers

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